Hávamál

"Hávamál" ("Sayings of the high one") is presented as a single poem in the Poetic Edda. The poem, itself a combination of different poems, largely presents advice for living and survival composed around the central figure of Odin and some verses are written from the perspective of Odin. Composed in the metre "Ljóðaháttr", a metre associated with wisdom verse, "Hávamál" is both practical and metaphysical in content. This is particularly apparent towards the end of the poem, as the poem shifts into an account of Odin's obtaining of the runic alphabet and obscure text relating to various charms and spells Odin knows.Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) "The Poetic Edda", page 14. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462]

The only surviving source for "Hávamál" is contained within the 13th century Codex Regius and is thought to be no older than from around the year 800 CE though derived from an earlier oral tradition. An early reference to the poem is by Eyvindr skáldaspillir, found in "Hákonarmál" from around the year 960 CE.

Poems

The poems in "Havamal" shift in tone, tenor and narrative position. Numerous English translations exist of the text.

"Gestaþáttr"

The first section "Gestaþáttr", the "guest's section". Stanzas 1 through 79 comprise a set of maxims for how to handle oneself when a guest and traveling, focusing particularly on manners and other behavioral relationships between hosts and guests and the sacred lore of reciprocity and hospitality to the Norse pagans.

The first stanza exemplifies the practical behavioral advice it offers::"All the entrances, before you walk forward,":"you should look at, ":"you should spy out;":"for you can't know for certain where enemies are sitting,":"ahead in the hall"

Number 77 is possibly the most known section of "Gestaþáttr":

"Ljóðatal"

The last section, the "Ljóðatal", deals with the transmission of knowledge and metaphysical mysteries. It is essentially a list and a key to a sequenced number of runic charms. There are correspondences between this section and with the "Sigrdrífumál", in which the awoken valkyrie Sigrdrífa details a number of the runes at her command.

As an example, Section 151 reads::"I know a sixth one if a man wounds me":"with the roots of the sap-filled wood:":"and that man who conjured to harm me,":"the evil consumes him, not me."Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) "The Poetic Edda", page 36. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462]

The sending of a tree root with runes carved into it is well documented in Norse literature; it was, for example, the cause of death of Grettir the Strong as described in "Grettis saga".

Germanic Neopaganism

Various proponents of Germanic Neopagan groups place an emphasis on "Hávamál" as one source of their religious beliefs, amongst other historical sources. As an example, partially based on "Hávamál" some groups have developed the Nine Noble Virtues.

ee also

*"Nine Herbs Charm"

References

External links

* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe04.htm Hovamol] Translation and commentary by H. A. Bellows
* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/poetic2/006_01.php Havamal] Translation by Benjamin Thorpe
* [http://vta.gamall-steinn.org/havamal.htm Hávamál] Translation by W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor
* [http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html Hávamál] Translation by Olive Bray